Presbytery of Yukon and PDA set to respond to deadly storm in Alaska
‘When something affects one community in Alaska, it affects us all’
LOUISVILLE — The devastation and evacuation of multiple communities in Alaska is being deeply felt by the Presbytery of Yukon, following a deadly storm on the state’s western coast that swept some homes away.
“Alaska, as the largest state in our country, has the smallest population, so when something affects one community in Alaska, it affects us all,” said the Rev. Elizabeth Schultz, executive presbyter, who has been in touch with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. “We do not have Presbyterian churches in the two villages that were evacuated, but they are Alaska Native communities, and we do have churches in eight Alaska Native communities, and that family is very tight, and so we are all very connected up here.”
The west coast of Alaska was hit by remnants of tropical typhoon Halong, generating high winds and sea surge that inundated communities and damaged homes and infrastructure. At least 49 communities reported being impacted.
The two hardest hit communities, Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, are in an area near the Bering Sea that saw water levels more than 6 feet above the highest normal tide line, according to CBS News.
The body of a woman was recovered in Kwigillingok and two people were reported missing. More than 50 people were rescued during search and rescue operations involving the Alaska National Guard, Alaska State Troopers and the U.S. Coast Guard last weekend.
This disaster isn’t “just flooding,” Schultz said. “This unprecedented evacuation of the entire population of two villages and those families and communities are being brought to hub communities around the state, one of which is Anchorage, where the presbytery office is. We will be in direct care of hundreds of people that are now being brought to Anchorage because their villages are not safe to inhabit at the moment.”
In addition to flooded homes, there has been damage to power and communications systems, roads and boardwalks, a runway and other infrastructure, according to Alaska officials.
These villages “are tight-knit and are used to a very small, connected life,” Schultz said. “They were then told, ‘Grab one suitcase and come to the airport. We're evacuating you.’ … These individuals will be with us for weeks, if not months, so these kids are going to need to go to school. All they have is one bag of belongings. They are now hundreds of miles from their home and in a completely different culture.”
The presbytery is seeking grant funding from PDA and will be working with fellow churches to meet the needs of those affected.
“In a time of disaster, we really need to wait for the state and national efforts to play out for a few days here to see where people are and what the agencies on the ground are asking for, instead of just jumping in with our own new idea,” Schultz said. “The Red Cross and Salvation Army are on the ground coordinating the movement of people from these communities into Anchorage and the shelter that's set up for them. They will be telling the faith communities what they need in the coming days.”
The response from faith communities will be an ecumenical one. It is likely that the presbytery will be “partnering with the other denominations that are a little closer to those villages,” Schultz said. “I was already on a call today with our Methodist, Episcopal and Lutheran colleagues” to talk about long-term response.
Presbyterians who would like to help are encouraged to donate to PDA.
Schultz explained the importance of PDA’s involvement this way: “Not only is it financially going to be helpful, it sends a message to all of our ecumenical partners that this denomination cares about these communities, even though they are in places most people in the lower 48 have never heard of,” she said. “There is a huge faith presence in our Alaska Native villages, and it sends that needed message that they are not alone.”
The Rev. Kathy Lee-Cornell, PDA Associate for National Disaster Response, stressed the importance of collaboration.
"PDA relies on our faith leaders to connect us with the areas and people where our resources may positively serve impacted individuals and communities, like the Alaskan Natives across Yukon-Kuskokwim," said Lee-Cornell. "Through their responsiveness, Presbytery of Yukon allows Presbyterians to bear witness to our compassionate kinship with one another during difficult circumstances, and we are honored to support their efforts in the immediacy of the typhoon and throughout the long-term recovery."
To assist Presbyterian Disaster Assistance with its response in Alaska, go here.
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